Cavan, the most southerly of the Ulster counties, is greatly diversified in surface. Its highest point is Cuilcagh Mountain (2,188 feet) in the mountainous projection of the county which reaches northwestwards between Counties Leitrim and Fermanagh. Ireland's longest river, the Shannon has its source on the southern slopes of Cuilcagh. Most of the county is undulating land, with low round hills and myriad lakes.
The River Erne, rising in Lough Gowna and flowing northwards through the centre of the county, spreads itself in a maze of small sheets of water separated by promontories and islands of every shape and size. Many of the Cavan lakes are very beautiful and offer first class coarse angling.
Cavan Town, with its beautiful cathedral, is home to the popular Cavan Crystal brand of hand-cut glass, and also to Killykeen Forest park, on Lough Oughter, one of the finest coarse fishing lakes in Ireland.
In song, Cavan is most famous because of Percy French's song, 'Come back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff'. Cavan is dotted with numerous lakes, and small picturesque villages and is very popular with visitors.
Cavan County Museum - Located in a superb nineteenth Century building at Virginia Road, Ballyjamesduff, the Museum houses the material culture of Cavan and surrounding districts. Exhibition galleries feature unique Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and Medieval artefacts. Interesting displays include the pre-Christian Killycluggin Stone and Corleck Head, the 1,000 year old Lough Errol Canoe, eighteenth Century Cavan Mace and Lavey Sheela na Gigs. The GAA Gallery was recently opened and has attracted a wealth of Sports Enthusiasts.
Lifeforce Mill - Located at Millrock, Cavan, a beautifully restored, fully working flourmill powered by Ireland's oldest waterturbine, Macadam 1846. A tour of the mill begins with each visitor making and baking his or her own loaf of brown bread which is baked while the tour takes place. All the original equipment is still used to produce Lifeforce stoneground wholemeal flour. After the tour you will return to the impressive stone coffee shop to collect your bread, hot out of the oven!
Drumline Monastic Site - Located at Milltown, an idyllic setting between Lakes Drumlane and Derrybrick. A round tower and church mark the sixth century monastic site. The church building dates from thirteenth or fourteenth century and is located half a mile form Milltown village.
The Cavan Way - Starting from Cavan County Council Library Services in Cavan Town, The Cavan Way provides a pleasant hill and valley walking connection between the Leitrim Way at Dowra, a small village community near the source of the River Shannon and the Ulster Way at Blacklion village.
Following generally the course of the young river to its source at the mystical "Shannon Pot", the walk follows quiet valley and river-side landscapes to the more unenclosed uplands section between the "Pot" and Blacklion, which includes the forested Burren area and its cemetery of ancient tombs, stone megaliths and monuments. Fine views are obtained from these elevated upland areas.
Population: 4.015.700 Languages: English, Irish (Gaelic) (both official) Currency: euro Currency code: EUR Local Times: Ireland - Dublin
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Ireland is situated in the Atlantic Ocean and separated from Great Britain by the Irish Sea. Ireland occupies the entire island except for the six counties that make up Northern Ireland. The Irish landscape has a mythic resonance, the country's history is almost tangible. And while it may be small, Ireland packs a big holiday punch. There are windswept, deserted beaches to discover, a rugged coastline, mountains and lochs, the stark landscape of the Burren and lush countryside that dazzles the eye with so many shades of green you understand at once why the tourist brochures call this the Emerald Isle.
The lure of Ireland lies in its landscapes and its people, and it is through involvement with either, or both, that visitors get to experience the soul of this ancient land of saints and scholars.
Ireland's hills are a walker's paradise, not only because of the extensive network of trails, but because by being on foot one gets to appreciate the lakes and rivers, the coastal views and ever-changing sky-scapes that are so much part of the Irish landscape. Watersports such as angling, sailing and surfing are popular too, and many visitors come for the golf, but the real passion of the Irish is horses - there is a potential Derby winner in every valley and a packed betting shop in every high street.
The Irish weather is not the most predictable in the world, but then much of the beauty of the Irish landscape is due to its climate.and there has to be a price-tag on being nicknamed the 'Emerald Isle'. Poor weather has had positive influences on the Irish way of life. Music and song plays an integral part in daily life and visitors are able to experience this in the many pubs so characteristic of the social landscape of Ireland.
Over the years, Ireland has survived invasions, famine and civil war, but has recently come into its own, benefiting from peace in the North, support from the EU and a new vitality which has caused the country to be dubbed the 'Celtic Tiger'. There has never been a better time to visit.
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